10 October 2022
by the Board of Memorial Human Rights Defence Centre
Source: Telegram
On October 10, the Russian Federation launched a massive strike against the territory of Ukraine consisting of more than a hundred missiles and drones. There were many reports of hits on residential buildings. One of the main targets was civilian energy infrastructure.
In doing so, Russia violated the laws and customs of war and committed war crimes, thereby aggravating the previously committed crime of aggression.
Russian propagandists and officials refer to the massive strikes on civilian infrastructure as a ‘response’ to the partial destruction of the Crimean Bridge. But deliberately attacking civilians and civilian objects is an intentional crime. In no circumstances is it permissible to launch strikes against them, even in response to alleged violations by the other side.
Article 52 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions is clear: civilian objects must not be the object of attacks or reprisals.
We offer our condolences to the victims and their families. We call on the world community to take effective steps to put an end to this criminal practice.
Board of the Memorial Human Rights Defence Centre
Translated by Rights in Russia
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